Famous 'Battle of Contarf' painting returned from Hawaii for 1,000th anniversary

As part of the commemorations marking the anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf, landscape artist Hugh Frazer’s iconic 1826 painting of the landmark battle will return to Dublin from Hawaii, where it has been on display at The Isaac Arts Center.

The huge 3x2 meter artwork, which depicts the 1014 encounter between the forces of Irish High King Brian Boru and the Viking army of King Sitric, will be free to view at the Casino at Marino from Saturday 15 March to the 24 April, reports TheJournal.ie.

Frazer’s piece depicts Boru at his tent in the left foreground, overlooking the battle stretching into the distance with Howth in the background.

Prior to being on view in Hawaii, the work was in the possession of Irish American philanthropist George Issac, who purchased it from an Irish collection 35 years ago.

In the 1990s, Isaac donated over 20 paintings to the Issac Art Center, which was being constructed and financed by him at the time.

The painting is being made available to the ‘Clontarf 2014’ committee by the private equity organization Kildare Partners, who acquired it from the Hawaiian center.

"It's such a distinctive image of Irish history and it's great to have it back in Ireland,” said Kildare Partners managing director Emer Finnan.

Said Collette Gill, chair of the Clontarf 2014 committee:” Our committee is delighted to have this iconic painting of the Battle of Clontarf back here in Ireland for the 2014 millennium commemoration. And the Casino at Marino is such a fitting place to show this wonderful painting.”

"The elevated site of the Casino would have overlooked the battle 1,000 years ago" she added.

The exhibition of Frazer’s painting is just one of several events being held in Ireland as part of the year-long commemoration of the 1,000th anniversary of the Brian Boru’s death.

According to the Irish Independent, events are scheduled across the country, including a re-enactment of the Battle of Clontarf where the medieval king was killed in 1014.

Events will also be held in Cashel, Co Tipperary, where the high king was crowned; at his castle in Killaloe, Co Clare; and his burial place in Co Armagh.

The lord mayor said that the events will "stimulate a renewed interest in Ireland's medieval history.”